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my guinea pig is very sick- please help ASAP!

  • Thread starter Thread starter ilovelouie
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ilovelouie

My guinea pig is 5 years old and has always been healthy until about 10 days ago. He started making strange croaking sounds, so last week my parents took him to the veterinarian, who did nothing except trim his teeth much too short. He is now unable to chew because his top and bottom teeth do not touch. We have tried feeding him long strips of carrots and hay so he can chew with his molars, but he either refuses them or takes them and holds them in his mouth until they fall out

The vet said he may have bladder stones or bladder cancer. It has been a week since he has eaten solid food. Right now we are currently feeding him sugar water through a syringe (though he occasionally drinks from his bottle). However, he has barely urinated or defecated at all. Because of this, his stomach is bloated and full of water. He lies down immediately wherever he is and always wants to put his head in the corner. His eyes and nose are crusty and he is suddenly very dirty. He lost a great deal of weight.

It's horrible to watch him wither away like this. Should I keep feeding him sugar water? Should I take him to a different vet? PLEASE, PLEASE help! All your help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.
 
I think he definintely needs a new vet. If you have to syringe feed him anything critical care food or maybe pellets mashed up with water would be better. Don't think sugar water would be good at all, sorry. Try to get him to a good vet ASAP there is a sticky of good vets you can look at.
 
Sorry to hear your piggy is so poorly!

Please don't give him sugar water. Have you got any syringe food like Critical Care or Science Recovery? If not you can always give him mushed up guinea pig food. Just add hot water and it will go all soft and you can then syringe it into him once it has cooled down. Pureed apple is another good one. It's very important that you keep food going through his system.

Getting him to another vet should also be a priority, but in the meantime just get as much food into him.
 
My guinea pig Bazil recently had his teeth clipped too short and couldn't pick up food at all. I used the fine side of a grater (the side you would use for lemon rind/parmesan etc) to grate carrot, celery, cucumber and broccoli. Using the fine side makes the vegetables really soft and you can then just pop little bits into his mouth. You can also grate apple this way, it comes out like puree. Also do use mushed up pellets or critical care. You may find you need to feed little and often. I was feeding Bazil every couple of hours during the day. Also syringe plain water into your guinea otherwise he will become dehydrated.
 
The back teeth are used for grinding food, not cutting food, so you must syringe feed him soft food. Do not forget to give him fluid, water is adequate but rehydration fluid is better. At five years of age he is quite old for a guinea pig and many pigs of this age do start to loose weight, however you can still make him comfortable. It is most unlikely that he has bladder cancer. Bladder stones are quite common in older pigs.
 
No more words of advice as all you have received is wonderful. OH you can use veggie baby food to syringe feed him.

I do hope he's okay. PLease keep coming back for support and / or advice, everyone here is very nice.
 
Baby food is always easiest to get hold of. Go to your Spar if you're desperate and get some fruit flavoured baby food. Also remember to give him water or rehydration fluids Dioralyte. He does need a new vet, what area are you in?
 
Please get him to another vet asap! If they mention "exotic" that means they should have somebody who knows more than your average vet, because guinea pigs are classed as exotic animals.

If you suspect that your boy has bladder stones, he needs an x-ray WITHOUT general anethetic to confirm this.

Here is a link to a list compiled by members of this forum. However, it is not comprehensive. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1788
 
I hope your guineapig feels better soon xx

Remember: Food is life. Food, water, and a vitamin C supplement are essential to keep your guinea pig alive, to prevent dehydration, and to stimulate the digestive process.


BIG HUGS FROM BOTH

Charl & Pip xx
 
Sorry to hear about your little man 8...
Lots of healing wheeeeks and loves from us all xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
Any update today? where you able to get into see a piggy savvy vet?
 
Welcome to the forum. I am sorry it is under such circumstances, but I do hope you have found some of the advice so far helpful.

Whereabouts are you? We may be able to recommend an experienced vet close to you. It sounds like the one you visited before was clueless.
The symptoms you mentioned as appearing first, coupled with the progression in them now, sounds like it could be a respiratory infection. His secondary difficulties are down to not having adequate food going through his system - guinea pigs are grazers and need to eat very often in order to keep their systems working efficiently. It doesn't take long for the digestion to shut down once the pig is without food. There is also a chance that the back teeth (hidden behind the fleshy cheeks) are now overgrown, due to not having any hard food to grind them down and keep them in check.

Do stop feeding the sugar water; it will be giving him energy but please try to switch to better alternatives ASAP. He needs food - add a small amount of water to his normal dry feed, let it go soggy, grind it down and syringe it to him - or offer it off a teaspoon until you can get hold of a syringe. Ideally, if you have a blender, throw in his dry food, a few veggies high in Vitamin C (parsley and red pepper should go down well) and some water and blend it down into a smooth consistency to give him. Rehydration fluids - such as Dioralyte, from the chemist, designed for humans - will also give him energy and rehydrate him.

Really, he needs a thorough check and treatment for each of his problems very quickly from a vet who really knows what they are doing. His back teeth need checking, he needs the bloat treating, and he needs the respiratory problem treating. Getting him eating and drinking again is something a good vet will explain to you, so do ask if the vet can show you by feeding the pig a little during the appointment.

Best of luck, I really hope your pig pulls through. Big *hugs* to you as well, it is very stressful and upsetting having a poorly piggie. Keep us updated.
 
Usual warning. No general anaesthetic is needed in order to examine or trim any of the teeth.
It does seem as though he is slowly winding down.
 
Update!

Thanks everyone for your concern and help!

To those that asked, I'm actually in the United States, but I thought this forum seemed better than the American ones I saw, so I posted here instead :). I called all around town this morning until I found a vet clinic that cares for guinea pigs and carries the food Critical Care. Their exotic pet specialist is scheduled to come in on Thursday, so I'm planning to take Louie then, but they said there is a very good chance he will have to be put to sleep. I'm so so sad :(

However, we did stop by the clinic to pick up Critical Care. He eats/drinks it, although most of the time now he is being force fed. I also syringe water into his mouth frequently, which he likes more than the food. He spends most of his time lying down and his muscles shake frequently when he has to stand. His breathing is also becoming more labored after feedings. It breaks my heart to say it, but I think putting him to sleep could be the most humane thing to do.

Unfortunately, I have to leave town this weekend and I'm not sure what to do with Louie. I wish I could stay home and take care of him but it's just not an option. My usual petsitter is out of town, so I will probably ask my brother (who is very good at syringe-feeding) to drive about two hours home to take care of him for the weekend. However, he has to work, so that might not happen. If anybody knows of a better plan, please let me know...

Thank you SO much again! I will try to update again, hopefully with good news!
 
I must say that's what happened to my rabbit unfortunately. He had to be put to sleep, after a few days of feeding through a syringe. His lung collapsed and he couldn't breath properly. We spent over £200 on him, but I am glad we tried our best to make him feel happy and well, and that he is now out of his misery.

If your gorgeous boy does have to be put to sleep, remember, it is only for the best.

Big hugs coming your way and I wish your little piggie all the best

xx
 
I am sorry that it doesn't look good; I know from my own experiences how hard and gutting it is when you are desperately fighting for a piggy's life and losing the battle little by little! :(

At least, Louis knows that you love him and that you are trying your very best.

I am glad that you now have found a better vet!
 
sad news

Louie went to guinea pig heaven last night in his sleep. He looks very peaceful and happy now.

My dad told me yesterday that it would probably happen because Louie couldn't breathe well and wouldn't eat the Critical Care. My parents woke me up this morning to tell me the news and I am terribly sad, but at least he's out of the pain now.



^Louie in one of his last days.

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for the help and support given on this forum. I'm sorry to hear about those of you with similar stories. Huge hugs to all of you and best of luck with your piggies!
 
I am so sorry to hear of Louie's passing. At least now he over the Rainbow Bridge where he doesnt have to worry about eating....only Popcorning all he wants! He is safe with all of the other piggies who have passed and you can now rest and not worry about him so much.
It sounds like you did everything that you could for him in his last days....he sure looked like a cutie pie! Thanks for the pigture.
Rest and relax, Louie is where he can too!
Hugz and wheeks from Michelle(me) Abby & Molly xoxo
 
Ah I am so sorry to hear about poor little Louie, RIP little fella. You did all you could to help him but it just wasn't to be. Take care and I am sure little Louie is having lots of fun at the Rainbow Bridge.

Sending you lots of hugs.

Joy xx
 
BIG HUG

You must feel so gutted; Louis put up a good fight, but it was not one he could win. Unfortunately, guinea pigs can go downhill with frightening speed despite the best of care (I lost one of mine just last month). I am so sorry for you; it never gets any easier! :(:(:(

At least, your beloved boy was granted to leave on his own, in peace, and he will be happy and painfree wherever he is right now.

We have a Rainbow Pets section, if you want to remember him and share your love and your memories with us.
 
I'm so very sorry you lost Louie, after all you did to try to help him. He was gorgeous. Big *hugs* to you.

Rest well, handsome Louie. xx
 
Sad to hear about poor Louie. Glad he is at peace and huge hugs to you.
 
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I'm so sorry! This thread reduced me to tears! At least now though he is happy and looking down on us wondering what all the fuss is about. I know he'll be having a whale of a time at rainbow bridge!
 
I am so very sorry to hear about Louie. I lost my Bob two years ago in similar circumstances. I know you will be heartbroken that your handome boy has made the journery to rainbow bridge. You did all you could for Louie and I'm sure he will be watching over you from the bridge.He obviously had a wonderful life with you and you should take comfort from this when you are up to remembering your life together..

Run free at the bridge sweet Louie and know that you will be sadly missed.

Sending hugs to you..
 
I'm so sorry you lost Louie:( i was hoping he would pull through but at least he doesnt have any pain now,big hugs to youxx>>>,
RIP Louie,have fun popcorning with all the lovely piggies at RB xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
 
Oh no that's abosolutely terrible 8...

I know how you feel x

BIG HUGS to you and your family!

x
 
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